We pay $120/mo for all three cars listed in my sig line...GEICO. 29 years old, married, both of us listed as drivers. And the Mazda is actually a Grand Am B-Spec road racing car
Subaru WRX as Daily Driver
- Thread starter wn1998
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I've got a 2011 WRX hatch as a DD and I love it. Easy car to drive quickly, corners like it's on rails and feels very stable while doing it. I tend to get 23-24 mpg on my commute which is mostly highway but very hilly (I would say I drive moderately to aggressively after the car is warmed up).
To me, this car is very nearly the perfect all around package. Plenty of space for passengers and cargo (especially in the hatch, makes a great dog car in my case), plenty of power, and should be reliable enough. It's also one of the only sporty cars you can get in this price range and body style that's not FWD or front-biased AWD. Other thoughts:
Wheels/Tires: This car has 17" wheels which is getting less and less common as even sport compacts move to 18"s or staggered tires in some cases. This is a plus in my book. Still comes with a spare (which a lot of cars do, but enough don't these days that it's worth mentioning).
Shifter: I love it! With the STI short throw shift kit, you retain the relatively tall lever (which I like) but the throws are shortened. Very mechanical feel to it although I've heard w/out the short throw kit it's not as good.
Insurance: Surprisingly, the insurance on my WRX is only a little bit more per year than it was on my Civic coupe IIRC. That means the Civic was expensive more than the WRX is cheap, but still. Cheaper on a WRX than one some other cars in the same price range and performance bracket. Probably depends on the area.
Ride: The car is actually surprisingly compliant and a nice smooth ride compared to e.g. the Mazdaspeed 3. Maybe not as good as a GTI (I don't know, never driven one) but it's perfectly livable as a daily driver when you just want to get where you're going.
Interior: There are lots of complaints that it's cheap. It's true that the materials are not luxurious but IMO it's close to on par with its competition and the interior seems like it'll hold up pretty well. The stereo isn't the greatest (but who cares, it's got a great exhaust note!) but it's got plenty of creature comforts like bluetooth, auto climate control, etc.
I could probably think of some more but the bottom line is the WRX is a great car for a practical and sporty DD if you can afford it and don't mind the gas mileage and other associated costs. For me it's been well worth it so far.
To me, this car is very nearly the perfect all around package. Plenty of space for passengers and cargo (especially in the hatch, makes a great dog car in my case), plenty of power, and should be reliable enough. It's also one of the only sporty cars you can get in this price range and body style that's not FWD or front-biased AWD. Other thoughts:
Wheels/Tires: This car has 17" wheels which is getting less and less common as even sport compacts move to 18"s or staggered tires in some cases. This is a plus in my book. Still comes with a spare (which a lot of cars do, but enough don't these days that it's worth mentioning).
Shifter: I love it! With the STI short throw shift kit, you retain the relatively tall lever (which I like) but the throws are shortened. Very mechanical feel to it although I've heard w/out the short throw kit it's not as good.
Insurance: Surprisingly, the insurance on my WRX is only a little bit more per year than it was on my Civic coupe IIRC. That means the Civic was expensive more than the WRX is cheap, but still. Cheaper on a WRX than one some other cars in the same price range and performance bracket. Probably depends on the area.
Ride: The car is actually surprisingly compliant and a nice smooth ride compared to e.g. the Mazdaspeed 3. Maybe not as good as a GTI (I don't know, never driven one) but it's perfectly livable as a daily driver when you just want to get where you're going.
Interior: There are lots of complaints that it's cheap. It's true that the materials are not luxurious but IMO it's close to on par with its competition and the interior seems like it'll hold up pretty well. The stereo isn't the greatest (but who cares, it's got a great exhaust note!) but it's got plenty of creature comforts like bluetooth, auto climate control, etc.
I could probably think of some more but the bottom line is the WRX is a great car for a practical and sporty DD if you can afford it and don't mind the gas mileage and other associated costs. For me it's been well worth it so far.
Originally Posted By: wn1998
I wish I could afford two cars but looks like one is all I can swing.
If you can only have one car go with one you'll be happy with. If you go for the economy Impreza, even with it being a very nice car on it's own, why get stuck in a car that's going to disappoint you every time you drive it.
A car you enjoy is worth a lot more than one you don't.
I wish I could afford two cars but looks like one is all I can swing.
If you can only have one car go with one you'll be happy with. If you go for the economy Impreza, even with it being a very nice car on it's own, why get stuck in a car that's going to disappoint you every time you drive it.
A car you enjoy is worth a lot more than one you don't.
Originally Posted By: jigen
That stuff happened so much with my z28 that I'd even call it a security risk... lol Some of those kids are lunatics.
I know what you are talking about.
I've seen flatulence-pipers cut, dart, almost take off other drivers' bumpers, and cause accidents doing the 'ricer weave' to get up to me in order to 'throw revs' at me, and try to street race.
I guess they had the overwhelming compulsion to try and prove 'JDM YO!' superiority over the 'mullet-mobile' V-8!!
That stuff happened so much with my z28 that I'd even call it a security risk... lol Some of those kids are lunatics.
I know what you are talking about.
I've seen flatulence-pipers cut, dart, almost take off other drivers' bumpers, and cause accidents doing the 'ricer weave' to get up to me in order to 'throw revs' at me, and try to street race.
I guess they had the overwhelming compulsion to try and prove 'JDM YO!' superiority over the 'mullet-mobile' V-8!!
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
Originally Posted By: jigen
That stuff happened so much with my z28 that I'd even call it a security risk... lol Some of those kids are lunatics.
I know what you are talking about.
I've seen flatulence-pipers cut, dart, almost take off other drivers' bumpers, and cause accidents doing the 'ricer weave' to get up to me in order to 'throw revs' at me, and try to street race.
I guess they had the overwhelming compulsion to try and prove 'JDM YO!' superiority over the 'mullet-mobile' V-8!!
Be nice, someday one of those guys is going to overpay me for my "EK" Civic coupe. Hopefully they won't put too many fake vents on it. Maybe I'll throw in a gift card to Pep Boys when I list it.
Originally Posted By: jigen
That stuff happened so much with my z28 that I'd even call it a security risk... lol Some of those kids are lunatics.
I know what you are talking about.
I've seen flatulence-pipers cut, dart, almost take off other drivers' bumpers, and cause accidents doing the 'ricer weave' to get up to me in order to 'throw revs' at me, and try to street race.
I guess they had the overwhelming compulsion to try and prove 'JDM YO!' superiority over the 'mullet-mobile' V-8!!
Be nice, someday one of those guys is going to overpay me for my "EK" Civic coupe. Hopefully they won't put too many fake vents on it. Maybe I'll throw in a gift card to Pep Boys when I list it.
For what it's worth, I've not had anyone rev at me or otherwise act like an idiot toward me in my WRX. In the right colors they don't actually stand out all that much (mine is dark gray).
One more thing to keep in mind is that these are not the quietest cars in terms of little noises from the body and the powertrain (although the engine is actually not horribly loud, with the turbo to muffle it). IMO it helps give the car character but it might not be the best car for someone who wants more refinement.
One more thing to keep in mind is that these are not the quietest cars in terms of little noises from the body and the powertrain (although the engine is actually not horribly loud, with the turbo to muffle it). IMO it helps give the car character but it might not be the best car for someone who wants more refinement.
The WRX is like a Volvo R in some ways. Big high-pressure turbo, AWD, a near track car off the dealer lot that you can haul the family to the grocery store in.
Two other important similarities that really matter are the need for high quality premium fuel and caviar grade synthetic motor oils. Always. Don't cut corners on either, or you'll be sorry when you get the repair bills that follow.
Neither gets great mileage, either. If I do EVERYTHING right, and drive like a geriatric, I can just nip 30 mpg in our R. Otherwise, it's a 22 mpg funmobile that blasts through corners.
Modern turbos are very reliable if you maintain the engine and don't cut corners.
Two other important similarities that really matter are the need for high quality premium fuel and caviar grade synthetic motor oils. Always. Don't cut corners on either, or you'll be sorry when you get the repair bills that follow.
Neither gets great mileage, either. If I do EVERYTHING right, and drive like a geriatric, I can just nip 30 mpg in our R. Otherwise, it's a 22 mpg funmobile that blasts through corners.
Modern turbos are very reliable if you maintain the engine and don't cut corners.
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Originally Posted By: VicVinegar
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
Originally Posted By: jigen
That stuff happened so much with my z28 that I'd even call it a security risk... lol Some of those kids are lunatics.
I know what you are talking about.
I've seen flatulence-pipers cut, dart, almost take off other drivers' bumpers, and cause accidents doing the 'ricer weave' to get up to me in order to 'throw revs' at me, and try to street race.
I guess they had the overwhelming compulsion to try and prove 'JDM YO!' superiority over the 'mullet-mobile' V-8!!
Be nice, someday one of those guys is going to overpay me for my "EK" Civic coupe. Hopefully they won't put too many fake vents on it. Maybe I'll throw in a gift card to Pep Boys when I list it.
LOL, you're right.. someone will likely pay a killing for a clean ek coupe, civic and integras hold really good resale value.
I always laugh at the people trying to throw revs at me and being d bags trying to make me race them when I really don't care.
Originally Posted By: dailydriver
Originally Posted By: jigen
That stuff happened so much with my z28 that I'd even call it a security risk... lol Some of those kids are lunatics.
I know what you are talking about.
I've seen flatulence-pipers cut, dart, almost take off other drivers' bumpers, and cause accidents doing the 'ricer weave' to get up to me in order to 'throw revs' at me, and try to street race.
I guess they had the overwhelming compulsion to try and prove 'JDM YO!' superiority over the 'mullet-mobile' V-8!!
Be nice, someday one of those guys is going to overpay me for my "EK" Civic coupe. Hopefully they won't put too many fake vents on it. Maybe I'll throw in a gift card to Pep Boys when I list it.
LOL, you're right.. someone will likely pay a killing for a clean ek coupe, civic and integras hold really good resale value.
I always laugh at the people trying to throw revs at me and being d bags trying to make me race them when I really don't care.
Get it and decontent the exterior so it looks more like a regular Impreza. Relative anonymity, and the benefits of the WRX.
WRX are known to drink a little bit of oil so make sure you factor that into your equation as well. My ex had an Impreza and I liked it. Didn't have all the huff and puff of a sports car but... didn't need it either just driving around town. If you're worried about your budget, go with the Impreza. If money is less of a concern go with STi.
I'd pick a different car altogether though. Those new Maxima's look pretty sweet as well as the Camrys. lol.
I'd pick a different car altogether though. Those new Maxima's look pretty sweet as well as the Camrys. lol.
My Dad ordered his 2002 WRX Wagon and has had it as his DD since September 2001. He often says how it has been his favorite car to date by a longshot. He usually averages right around 20 MPG and always uses premium. He was hesitant to buy it at first because it "required" premium but he hasn't regretted it since. The car has been very reliable and most maintenance has been pretty easy to perform. It still drives great at 150k miles.
He was originally going to buy a WRX sedan, but in talking with the insurance company, the sedan was considered "sports car insurance" while the wagon was similar to any other Subaru wagon. I'm not sure if they have caught on yet.
He was originally going to buy a WRX sedan, but in talking with the insurance company, the sedan was considered "sports car insurance" while the wagon was similar to any other Subaru wagon. I'm not sure if they have caught on yet.
I am a lurker on the site, but had to chime in on this one. I am an IT specialist and I drive 45-50K a year. My daily driver was a 2004 WRX that I bought used with about 30K and I just sold with 140K. I had no issues whatsoever. It has been my favorite vehicle of all time. I have owned 2 lower end porsche, a 3000gt, 300ZX, BMW, Volvo. Nothing else has ever given me as much bang for the buck as my WRX "work car". I got better gas mileage and more power once I did a "tune" through my laptop and a $100 cable(read about it if you buy one). I currently drive a new Volvo turbo because I have to "impress clients, but at least 3-4 days a week I think to myself, "That jerk would have never cut me off if I was driving my WReX"
Do It and don't look back!
Do It and don't look back!
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